Latest sightings
Recent Sightings 2nd January 2023
Strangford Lough’s mudflats were covered with various waders this morning as the tide receded, exposing their feeding grounds. Huge numbers of Dunlin were out along with large groups of Shelduck and Oystercatcher dotted about in between. Pintail were al
2 January 2023
Recent Sightings 27th December 2022
There was a rising tide for this Christmassy count on Tuesday, bringing groups of waders up the Estuary before the Strangford Lough mudflats were immersed in icy, cold seawater. Tiny Dunlin scuttle between groups of larger birds including Curlew, Oysterca
28 December 2022
Recent Sightings 12th December 2022
Castle Espie was completely shrouded in frost this morning, followed swiftly by a wintery fog creeping over the Main Lake. The Estuary was bursting with life as waders of all shapes and sizes rushed to feed before the tide came in. A solo Snipe was hunker
12 December 2022
Recent Sightings 5th December 2022
Start of December on the reserve and the temperature has definitely dropped! The Kingfisher was out on the Limestone Lake fishing in the cold winter sunshine, accompanied by a small trio of Otters playing in the water. Whilst the center has been closed, o
6 December 2022
Recent Sightings 21st November 2022
This morning was incredibly windy and rainy out on the reserve and therefore, coupled with a high tide, there wasn’t much to see out on the Estuary! All the Brent were tucked away against the gales in sheltered bays but the tide did bring in a nice grou
21 November 2022
Recent Sightings 14th November 2022
There was a nice selection of waders out on the Estuary at low tide on Monday, including lots of colourful Shelduck in amongst the Brent and Oystercatcher. Shelduck are best seen during the winter months when their numbers increase, although they are pres
15 November 2022
Recent Sightings 7th November 2022
The rising tide bought a lot of birds up Strangford Lough and into the reserve this morning, including a small group of Knot (pictured) that were just clinging to the last of the exposed mudflats before the tide lifted them. Knot are small waders, which a
7 November 2022
Recent Sightings 31st October 2022
A very windy Halloween here at Castle Espie today! Most birds were hiding from the gales this morning but a few were braving the wind. We have some nice visitors on the Main Lake including a solo Widgeon and a couple of male Northern shovelers. The male S
31 October 2022
Recent Sightings 25th October 2022
Although Castle Espie is closed to visitors for the time being, we would still love to share with you the birds we’ve been getting out on the reserve – see if you can take yourself on an imaginary tour of our hides with these sightings! The Estuary i
25 October 2022
Recent Sightings 3rd October 2022
With autumn well on its way, Castle Espie is looking bright and fresh in the October sunshine and showers. We’ve had some seriously impressive rainbows to show for it recently. Over the Estuary full of Light-bellied brent geese feeding on Eel grass in t
3 October 2022
Recent Sightings 26th September 2022
Despite the strong winds this morning, there were still some interesting birds to view out on the reserve – and all from the shelter of at least one of our hides! A small group of female Northern shoveler were feeding on the banks of the Main Lake, easi
26 September 2022
Recent Sightings 20th September 2022
This morning’s sightings were accompanied by the beautiful and calming sounds of Brent geese calling to one another out on the Estuary. With well over a thousand birds now feeding out on Strangford Lough, and hopefully more still to come, they’re hard
20 September 2022
Recent Sightings 12th September 2022
This week has started with some lovely new visitors to Castle Espie, along with all our usual sightings. A solitary Goldeneye was seen on the Main Lake, standing out from the Mallards with its dark head and striking yellow eyes. Common Goldeneye are winte
13 September 2022
Recent Sightings 29th August 2022
Two female Pintails were seen on the Main Lake this morning, best viewed from the Collection area and the Garden Hide. The female duck does not have the striking white front and elongated tail feathers of the male, but they still have a pointed tail and a
29 August 2022
Recent Sightings 22nd August 2022
Despite the rainy weather on Monday, the Kingfisher was out fishing on the Main Lake in the early morning. If they’re about, they’re easily spotted from the Garden Hide in the Sensory Garden which is a great place for taking photos. Widgeon (pictured)
23 August 2022